You sailed on merchant ships for years, moving goods (and passengers) from port to port. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and pirates. Your first love is the distant line of the horizon, but the time has come to try your hand at something new.
Discuss the nature of the ship you previously sailed with your Dungeon Master. How famous (or infamous) is it? Is it widely traveled? Is it still sailing, or is it missing and presumed lost with all hands? What were your duties on board—boatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run?
- Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics or Athletics, Persuasion or Deception
- Tool Proficiencies: Your experience gives you a choice of one of the following: Navigator's tools, Cartographer's tools, or Vehicle (water)
- Equipment: A belaying pin (club), 50 feet of silk rope, a lucky charm such as a rabbit foot or a small stone with a hole in the center, a set of common clothes and a pouch containing 10 gp.
Feature: Merchant Rank
You have a merchant rank from your career as a merchant marine. Merchant marines loyal to your former mercantile organization still recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to you if they are of a lower rank. You can invoke your rank to exert influence over other merchant marines and requisition passage on a vessel at a free or reduced rate. You can also usually gain access to friendly guild houses where your rank is recognized.
Suggested Characteristics
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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My friends know they can rely on me, no matter what.
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2
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I’m haunted by memories of a pirate attack.
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3
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I work hard so that I can play hard when the work is done.
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4
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I enjoy sailing into new ports and making new friends over a flagon of ale.
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5
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I stretch the truth for the sake of a good story.
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6
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To me, a tavern brawl is a nice way to get to know a new city.
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7
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My language is as foul as an otyugh nest.
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8
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I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Respect. The thing that keeps a ship together is mutual respect between captain and crew. (Good)
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2
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Fairness. We all do the work, so we all share in the rewards. (Lawful)
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3
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Freedom. The sea is freedom—the freedom to go anywhere and do anything. (Chaotic)
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4
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Mastery. I’m a predator, and the other ships on the sea are my prey. (Evil)
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5
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People. I’m committed to my crewmates, not to ideals. (Neutral)
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6
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Aspiration. Someday I’ll own my own ship and chart my own destiny. (Any)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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I would still lay down my life for the people I served with.
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2
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The ship is most important—crewmates and captains come and go.
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3
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I’ll always remember my first ship.
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4
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In a harbor town, I have a paramour whose eyes nearly stole me from the sea.
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5
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I was cheated out of my fair share of the profits, and I want to get my due.
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6
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Ruthless pirates murdered my captain and crewmates, plundered our ship, and left me to die. Vengeance will be mine.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
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I follow orders, even if I think they’re wrong.
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2
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I’ll say anything to avoid having to do extra work.
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3
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Once someone questions my courage, I never back down no matter how dangerous the situation.
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4
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Once I start drinking, it’s hard for me to stop.
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5
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I can’t help but pocket loose coins and other trinkets I come across.
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6
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My pride will probably lead to my destruction.
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